Design guidelines for differently abled friendly constructions

157 Pages·2017·6.17 MB·English

GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY
CONSTRUCTION

Published by:
The Engineering Services Division
Department of Engineering Services
Ministry of Works and Human Settlement

www.mowhs.gov.bt
PO Box 791, Thimphu Bhutan
Tel: [phone]/332218

©Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Bhutan

GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
Foreword
Over the years Bhutan has noted the importance of creating awareness on
differently-abled people and building barrier-free environment for all. This cause is
being recognized and supported by the Government and various Non-
Governmental Organizations in the country. Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen is the Royal
Patron of the Ability Bhutan Society (ABS), one such organization which provides
multidisciplinary services to children with moderate to severe disabilities. The
Ministry of Works and Human Settlement strongly felt the need to address the
importance of barrier-free construction and therefore, it is my pleasure to endorse
this guideline for engineers, architects, urban planners and developers. With this
guideline, the Department of Engineering Services aims to bring about more
awareness on the issues faced by the physically challenged or anyone facing
temporary mobility problems while using public buildings and spaces. It is very
important to acknowledge that the access to public areas is not only a matter of
dignity but also a fundamental right of every person in our country. We as a
technical agency should take up this responsibility of addressing these issues and
demonstrate the benefits of a barrier-free environment through our design and
construction of infrastructure. I sincerely urge the engineers, architects, urban
planners and developers to use and advocate the simple designs and concepts
illustrated in this guideline to make our cities a place which is accessible and safe
for all. The Department and Ministry will work towards ensuring that accessibility
requirements are integrated into our design process and continue our support to the
cause. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions made by all
those involved and contributed in developing this guideline.
Tashi Delek.

Dorji Choden
Minister
Ministry of Works and Human Settlement
GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
Preface
Disability is not a phenomenon but is a phase. Everyone at one point or the other
passes through such phases. The elderly, ill, pregnant, obese, children, persons
with fracture or with luggage could all be described as passing through a phase of
disability. Even during such phases each one has the right to live in dignity.
Accessibility, therefore, cannot be an aspect of sympathy but is very much the right
of every individual. Barrier-free design, therefore, is a professional obligation as well
as a societal commitment of design professionals.
The country is now seeing an increase in the population of individuals with
moderate to severe disabilities with growing awareness and an increase in services
available to them. Opportunities for differently abled persons to transit into and
function in Bhutanese society are vital for an inclusive community. The government
has taken this conscious step to compile a comprehensive reference document that
stipulates necessary provisions for universal designs. Through this guideline, we
sincerely call upon the Architects, Engineers, Urban planners and Developers to
understand, advocate and use these simple design strategies, as illustrated in this
guideline, to make our buildings and public places barrier free and safe for all.
While numerous references are available, they tend to be assorted and not entirely
compatible with the Bhutanese conditions. The Engineering Services Division under
the Department of Engineering Services (DES), Ministry of Works and Human
Settlement (MoWHS) has initiated to develop this comprehensive document to
serve as a guideline in designing and constructing built environment for Differently
abled person.

Phuntsho Wangdi
Secretary
Ministry of Works and Human Settlement
GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
Acknowledgement
We express our gratitude to the officials of the Early Childhood Care &
Development, Special Education Need, School Planning & Building Division of
Ministry of Education, Public Health Engineering Division of Ministry of Health,
UNICEF Bhutan, Thimphu Thromde, Ability Bhutan Society, Disabled Persons
Association of Bhutan and Draktsho Vocational Training Center for Special Children
and Youth for all their support.

Special thanks to the Persons with Disabilities for sharing experiences and giving
valuable feedbacks.

GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
Table of Contents
1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 8
1.1 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 9
1.2 Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 10
1.3 Scope and Limitation ....................................................................................................... 10
2 CHAPTER TWO: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUTDOOR SPACES ........ 11
2.1.1 Signage ...................................................................................................................... 12
2.1.2 Street Furniture ......................................................................................................... 14
2.1.3 Footpath ..................................................................................................................... 16
2.1.4 Steps .......................................................................................................................... 18
2.1.5 Ramp .......................................................................................................................... 19
2.1.6 Kerb Ramps .............................................................................................................. 20
2.1.7 Pedestrian Crossing ................................................................................................. 22
2.2 Parking ............................................................................................................................... 23
2.3 Obstruction ........................................................................................................................ 25
2.4 Open Spaces .................................................................................................................... 28
2.4.1 Parks and Playgrounds ........................................................................................... 29
2.4.2 Public Square ............................................................................................................ 29
2.4.3 Transportation ........................................................................................................... 30
3 CHAPTER THREE: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDOOR SPACES ........ 32
3.1 Entrance ............................................................................................................................. 33
3.2 Access ................................................................................................................................ 34
3.2.1 Ramps ........................................................................................................................ 34
3.2.2 Staircase .................................................................................................................... 36
3.2.3 Mechanical Access (lifts, conveyors, escalators) ................................................ 37
3.3 Railings .............................................................................................................................. 38
3.4 Openings ........................................................................................................................... 41
3.4.1 Doors .......................................................................................................................... 41
3.4.2 Windows .................................................................................................................... 42
3.5 Corridors ............................................................................................................................ 43
GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
3.6 Spaces ............................................................................................................................... 44
3.6.1 Toilet Design ............................................................................................................. 45
3.6.2 Bathroom Design ...................................................................................................... 49
3.6.3 Kitchen Design .......................................................................................................... 50
3.6.4 Verandah Design ...................................................................................................... 51
3.7 Flooring .............................................................................................................................. 52
3.8 Building Services .............................................................................................................. 54
3.8.1 Lighting and Illumination .......................................................................................... 54
3.8.2 Air Conditioning and Ventilation ............................................................................. 55
3.8.3 Acoustics ................................................................................................................... 55
3.8.4 Plumbing Fixtures ..................................................................................................... 56
3.9 Furnishing .......................................................................................................................... 58
3.9.1 Furniture and Equipment ......................................................................................... 58
3.9.2 Closet ......................................................................................................................... 59
3.9.3 Public Counters ........................................................................................................ 60
3.9.4 Lockers and Storage ................................................................................................ 61
3.9.5 Platform ...................................................................................................................... 61
3.10 Communication Elements and Features ...................................................................... 62
3.11 Controls .............................................................................................................................. 63
4 CHAPTER FOUR: MAINTENANCE ....................................................................... 65
5 CHAPTER FIVE: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR DIFFERENT BUILDING .... 67
TYPES .......................................................................................................................... 67
6 CHAPTER SIX: CHECKLIST ................................................................................. 93
APPENDIX A: DEFINITION ........................................................................................ 105
APPENDIX B: CRITICAL REVIEW OF EXISTING POLICY DOCUMENTS .............. 115
APPENDIX C: ANTHROPOMETRY ........................................................................... 119
On Wheelchair ............................................................................................................................ 119
On Crutches ................................................................................................................................ 122
On Walker .................................................................................................................................... 122
On Walking Stick/White Cane .................................................................................................. 122
APPENDIX D: MATERIALS ....................................................................................... 124
GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
Flooring Material ......................................................................................................................... 124
Railings ........................................................................................................................................ 126
APPENDIX E: CASE STUDY ..................................................................................... 127
Case study of SEN facility at Changangkha School, Thimphu ........................................... 127
Case Study 2 (Block of the JDWNRH, Thimphu) .................................................................. 138
APPENDIX F: REFERENCES .................................................................................... 151
I. Accessibility for the Disabled - A Design Manual for a Barrier Free Environment,
retrieved from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/designm ....................................... 151
APPENDIX G: LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLE ........................................................ 152

GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
1
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
1.1 Aims and Objectives
The guideline has been formulated to support the government’s aspiration to cater
to the needs of the Differently abled person in the society. It facilitates the adoption
of obstruction-free, accessible, and usable spaces in the built environment. It
provides basic criterion and checklist that any structure or component of a structure
should comply to declare it as accessible for Differently abled person. Overall, the
objective of the guideline is to prepare a comprehensive guideline to use as a basis
for designing new facilities and provide a guide on retrofit options available to
remodel existing structures to enable use by disabled persons.

The following are the objectives of the guideline:
a. Guide planners, architects, engineers, developers, and individuals to design
and construct the built environment facilities and structures incorporating the
needs of the Differently abled person in the society.
b. Help relevant organizations to construct barrier free infrastructure.
c. Create awareness on the various considerations in construction practices for
an equity based society.
d. To support the existing rules and regulation.
e. To guide in the formulation of new policies, rules, and regulations.

GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION